The question of whether or not Bulls' forward Tyrus Thomas had the flu when the team sent him home this week is now irrelevant. Thomas will miss the next four to six weeks after fracturing his forearm during a workout yesterday. According to the Tribune:

The Blackhawks' road woes continued last night, dropping their third straight away game as the Avalanche edged the 'Hawks 4-3 in a shoot-out. It was a game of runs as the Blackhawks opened up a 2-0 lead in the first half of the opening period. Dustin Byfuglien got a power play game early on and Duncan Keith added a second goal a few minutes later. But the Avalanche countered with a three-goal run that spanned the rest of the first and most of the second period to take a 3-2 lead. The 'Hawks answered, courtesy of Andrew Ladd, to tie the game at 3-3. After a scoreless third period and overtime, it was on to the shoot-out where Patrick Kane was the only 'Hawk to net a goal and by a 2-1 shoot-out margin, the Avs took game. Niemi took the loss in goal for the 'Hawks making 17 saves in regulation, two in overtime, and six saves on eight shots in the shoot-out. The 'Hawks return home Monday night to take on the Kings (7 pm, VS), the first of four home games next week. If you haven't had a chance to catch the team live in person, now's a good chance to do it before the team goes on the infamous two-week Circus Trip.

It appears fall's not ready to give way to winter quite yet and, in fact, it feel like the Spring we never quite had. Gorgeous, sunny skies are overhead with that bright, little guy we call the sun. Temps will warm themselves up to 70 today for the warmest temps in almost a month and a half (tomorrow is already looking like more of the same, as well). So we think this is Mother Nature's make-up gift to us, her "sorry about taking away your spring and making the first half of your summer cold and wet" gift. If so, we accept it. Now if you'll excuse us, we have some bike riding to do.

• A pair of area deaths related to H1N1 have been reported. In related news, a truck with 900 H1N1 vaccine doses was stolen in Milwaukee though police have apprehended a suspect.
• As the search continues for a hit & run driver responsible for the death of 25-year-old Rachel Gilliam, a surveillance tape is making the rounds that shows the alleged car that moments later hit Gilliam and her family is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the driver.
• With 1,000 officers eligible to retire, Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis admits he's "nervous" about retirements cutting into the CPD's already thinned ranks.

The Great O addressed the rumors of a new cable network but her silence on the possible departure from Chicago for Los Angeles may have been just as loud. She confirmed the formation of a new network (OWN, short for Oprah Winfrey Network) but on the subject of the relocation, she told CBS 2 simply, "I am going to make that announcement soon. I am going to make that decision and make the announcement soon." And what of the numerous local jobs at Harpo, Inc? "They should not worry." Sooooo.. they're going with you? You're gonna compensate them handsomely when you ditch town? We guess it's just more wait-and-see.

While we've been lamenting things like the loss of the Outdoor Film Festival and the shrinking of the Chicago Christmas tree, there are certainly more serious issues at stake in the midst of the city's enormous budget deficit, one being the quality of mental health care in Chicago. The city's mental health centers have been in limbo since January when it was announced that some of the city's 12 centers would be closing, and while 4 of the centers were reopened, they still won't be avoiding a hit -- their operating budget is being reduced next year.

Back in September we lined up with hundreds of Chicagoans outside the House of Blues for a chance to see Jay-Z's Samsung-hosted elusive free show. And like many of the same people we queued in line with that evening, we went home unable to even make it as far as the venue doors.

The Tribune is calling today's story about "Dark Knight" director Christopher Nolan's incarcerated brother and his planned prison escape "Batman-like," which is good bait to get you into the story. But when you read deeper, it turns out that the tale being told isn't terribly Batty at all - it's only barely Dark Knight related. Which is not to say it's not a hell of a story - one which we're surprised hasn't been talked about much to date. (The conspirator part of our brain is saying "yeah, but that kind of talk might keep away other film companies, and that's bad for the city, so maybe...")

We're getting closer to tomorrow's Half Acre Brewery's Charitable Chili Cook-Off this Saturday benefiting The Arts of Life and if you haven't gotten your tickets yet, get a move on! They're still only $5 through 5 p.m. today; you'll pay $10 at the door tomorrow. And if you think your chili has what it takes to win it all, $20 will get your entry in (besides other prizes, we'll also be featuring the winner right here). Last we heard, there are almost 20 different chili entries so you'll be able to stuff your face with some quality food. There will also be six different raffle prizes handed out, there'll be Half Acre beer, and the folks from Nice Cream will have samples at the ready. So what are you waiting for? Grab some tickets and swing by. I'll be there as will Rob, who gets to taste all of the entries as one of the cook-off's judges, so be sure to come say hi if you can make it.

The sun is shining! It's kind of warm! And this is how that all makes us feel!

The Interview Show is a humorous monthly Chicago-based talk show hosted by quick-witted syndicated columnist Mark Bazer the first Friday of every month. The show is a similar format to late night TV talk shows set in the intimate space of the Hideout. Past guests have included writer Jen Lancaster, chef Rick Bayless, interior designer Nate Berkus and filmmaker Steve Conrad.

The whirlwind that is The Grates hails from Australia and threatens to take down everything in its path. Singer Patience Hodgson dominates the proceedings with voice that flips from sweet trill to all encompassing roar into playground chant without missing a beat. Through it all she rides a pleasant melodicism that contrasts brightly with the churning three-chord punk guitars carrying most of the songs forward.